AM Radio FCC NRSC Compliance Reports

Every year, each of the more than 4,000 FCC-licensed AM radio stations in the US are required to make and document “NRSC measurements” and place the reports in the station official files. While these measurements can be done by local station engineers, the measurements are relatively complex and can require sophisticated equipment to be completed properly. Compiling the measurements into a document that meets FCC requirements can also be difficult. The number of contract engineers capable of making the making the measurements and providing professional reports continues to decline. The cost of providing these reports is increasing, making it even more difficult for station management to meet the FCC report requirements. This paper discusses some history behind these measurements, reviews the details as specified in the FCC rules and NRSC Standards, and offers suggestions on how to compile the measurement data to create professional reports.

James Dalke | Dalke Broadcast Service, Inc. | Bellevue, Washington, United States
Martin Hadfield | The Hadfield Group, LLC | Seattle, Washington, United States